Adoption Steps

Adoption Steps

Once you decide to pursue adoption, you will begin the approval process. Because the process varies slightly in different areas of the state, some of the steps may also vary.

. . .

Orientation

The first step in some areas is an orientation meeting for prospective adoptive parents. At this meeting the prospective parents may meet experienced adoptive or foster parents and or more counselors who will provide an overview of the whole process, timeframes involved and the training schedule.

. . .

Background Check

The FDLE/FBI background screening should be done after orientation and before Parenting Resource for Information Development and Education (PRIDE)

. . .

Preparation Course or PRIDE

This is a five week training and preparation course that adoptive parents are required to successfully complete. These training sessions are usually scheduled at night or on the weekends. The purpose of the training is twofold—for parents to assess themselves and their family, and to explore and learn about adoption issues.

. . .

Home Study

You will be required to provide information about your physical and emotional health. Background checks at the local state and federal level will be conducted, including having your fingerprints screened at the federal level.

*Please note that background information is time sensitive therefore it’s possible you will have to redo your fingerprints before the adoption is finalized.

References will be requested from your employer, school officials if you have children in school and character references from individuals who have known you and your family. The counselor will visit your home one or more times to complete the home study. If you have children, it will be important for the counselor to ask them a few questions about what they think about adoption. Some of the topics that will be discussed with you and your spouse, if you have one, are:

1. Why do you want to adopt?
2. Describe your childhood
3. What are the strengths of your marriage or current significant relationship?
4. How do you think a new child in your home will alter your lifestyles?
5. Describe your financial situation
6. Describe your parenting style/philosophy

. . .

Approval

All of the information is gathered into a home study packet and sent for approval to an adoption specialist. When your application has been approved, you will be notified.

. . .

After Approval

You may continue to look at the available children and attend recruitment activities and events where available children are in attendance. Notify your counselor when you are interested and need more information about a certain child or sibling.

. . .

Match

Once your home study is approved, you’ll learn about available children that may be a good match for your family and, based on how your strengths meet their needs, you’ll potentially be matched. When the needs of a child or sibling group is matched with your family, your adoption counselor will discuss with you the pre placement activities that must occur when you, the child and counselor determine that the child is ready. If matched, the child will live in your home for a minimum of 90 days.

. . .

Placement Supervision

After a child is placed, a counselor must make monthly visits in order to assess the child’s adjustment and if new or additional services are needed. The supervision period ends when the counselor provides “consents to adopt” to your attorney.

. . .

Finalization

Your attorney will schedule a hearing before a judge. At this hearing the adoption will be legalized and the child will legally become a part of the family.

Our Community Taking Care of Our Kids

At Our Kids, we have created an innovative approach to foster care and adoption that puts the children in our community first. You are our number one asset in creating safe havens that promote a happy, healthy and successful life for our children.